On 18th May 1937 this No.9 Flying Training School aircraft suffered engine failure while the pilot was almost certainly undertaking a navigation exercise to an airfield probably in Lincolnshire or further south. The pilot made a forced landing near Tudworth but hit the ground hard near Tudworth in a group of trees, crossed a turnip field and came to rest on a lane between two main roads leading south from Thorne. The nose of the aircraft received damage. The site is probably near Junction 1 of the M180 today.
Pilot - Acting P/O William Noel Lepine RAF (39540). Uninjured.
On 28th May 1940 this pilot was flying 85 Squadron Hurricane N2425 over France when he was shot down by Bf.110’s of 1/ZG26 during an offensive patrol between Le Cateau and Cambrai at 07.30hrs. He baled out slightly wounded, landed behind enemy lines and was made POW.
Hart K5840 was built to contract 410420/35 by Vickers Ltd at Weybridge and was delivered to 2 F.T.S. at Digby on 3rd April 1936. It was transferred to 9 F.T.S. at Thornaby on 14th October 1937. On 18th May 1937 the aircraft received damage that the published Air Britain history of this aircraft it suggests that the aircraft was repaired and later served again with 2 F.T.S. I would doubt this as it was struck off charge on 12th August 1937 which would seem too short a period of time to repair it. I suggest it was taken back to Thornaby for further assessment where it was then struck off charge on 12th August 1937.
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